Progress Update: Scene Five of Reunion: Coda’s Chapter 19 | First-time Novelist Progress Report

Evening/Night, Monday, August 12, 2024, Madison, New Hampshire

Moving the Story Forward

Hi, everyone.

Despite waking up too early and feeling tired, I had a productive writing day on this somewhat cool and often cloudy day. I don’t think it rained around here. The morning forecast mentioned scattered light showers, but either they never happened or were carried to other parts of Carroll County by the unpredictable mountain winds.

Honestly, I wasn’t too confident in my writing skills. Despite waking up at 4 AM and not getting back to sleep, I didn’t feel sleepy, but I was still exhausted.  

After a decent lunch, some sunshine and fresh air, and two cups of coffee, I not only outlined the second vignette in Reunion: Coda’s Chapter 19, Scene Five, but also wrote it.

In case you’re interested, here is a short excerpt:

Jim Garraty’s Apartment

Saturday, March 18, 2000, 2:05 PM

The clock ticks past two, and the sun filters through the blinds, casting long, lazy shadows across the floor. I stand in the kitchen, the wooden tray I picked up from Vintage Mornings—a simple, unassuming piece—now rests in the pantry. It’s a small addition to my apartment, yet it feels significant, a tangible piece of today’s journey. The other tray, a daintier metal one with intricate patterns etched along its edges, remains in the bag, a gift for Maddie’s place in Queens. I imagine it on her coffee table, a silent witness to our shared moments, and the thought makes me smile.

I head to the living room, holding the essays from my Intro to World War II class at Columbia University. As I settle into the couch, the cool, comforting leather, I can’t help but feel the absence of Maddie’s vibrant energy. Her dedication to her musical career is something I understand, respect, and share in my pursuits. Yet, there’s a part of me, perhaps the part that’s hopelessly in love, that yearns for the intimacy that our professional responsibilities so cruelly interrupt.

My thoughts are interrupted by the memory of Miguel Hernandez, the student whose passion and intellect are marred by his radical views. The image of him, last seen fleeing from Fayerweather Hall after his outburst in Nicole’s office in the History Department, lingers in my mind. I worry about him, about the consequences he’ll face, and whether he’ll have the courage to return on Monday. It’s a somber thought, the realization that despite our best efforts, some students remain out of reach.

With a sigh, I begin to read through the essays. One by one, I delve into the students’ perspectives on pivotal moments of the war—the decision to not race the Soviets to Berlin, the encirclement of the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad, the faulty Mark 14 torpedoes, and Operation Market-Garden. Each essay is a window into a young mind grappling with the complexities of history, and I find myself both critiquing and admiring their efforts.

A Novel’s Progress – By the Numbers

With two vignettes written for Scene Five in Reunion: Coda’s nineteenth chapter, here’s my current progress as a first-time novelist:

• Number of Completed Chapters (including the Prologue): 18
• Chapters in Progress: One, 80% complete
• Number of Pages: 433
• Number of Words: 108,095

That’s all for this first day of the workweek, folks. I hope you enjoyed reading about my progress and challenges as a writer. I’m especially proud of Vignette #1, where I introduced my first LGBQT supporting characters, Cameron and Jerry. They are a lovely couple who run a vintage second hand store and sell the main character two breakfast trays. I wanted to create diverse and realistic characters that reflect the world we live in, and I hope I did them justice.

I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback and comments on my latest chapters. Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions with me. I appreciate your support and encouragement.

Now, I’m going to hit the sack and hope for a good night’s sleep. Writing can be exhausting, but also rewarding. I’ll see you tomorrow with more updates and insights. Until then, happy reading!